Breastfeeding myths and facts

Breastfeeding is nature's best gift to women. It is not just a process but an emotional journey for both mother and child. Unfortunately, not all mothers are able to breastfeed their babies. Do you know that 99% of mothers have sufficient milk supply but still the percentage of breastfeeding mothers (especially exclusive breastfeeding) is very less than that. I believe it is because of lack of knowledge and due to old age myths of breastfeeding. So in this post, I would like to talk about breastfeeding myths to make your breastfeeding journey easier and smooth : 

• Myth: Soft breasts mean low milk supply.
• Reality: This is the biggest myth and worry of almost all mothers. Soft breasts after 6 weeks is completely normal. After 6 weeks milk supply starts establishing. But if it is before 6 weeks, you should definitely consult a certified lactation counselor or your gynecologist.

• Myth : Don't feed the child right after taking shower. Milk will be cold.
• Reality: Well this is completely illogical. Just make sure (especially in winters) if you have taken a head bath, water droplets from the head do not drip on your child. I have fed my son just after a bath many times and he never had any issue with it. 

• Myth: Stop breastfeeding if you are ill
• Reality: This will be your biggest mistake if you do so. In fact in such situations, breastmilk will have antibodies to protect the child from illness. If you have some contagious disease (common cold etc), wear a mask while breastfeeding. 

• Myth: If child is putting his hands in mouth he is hungry.
• Reality: Well because of this myth many moms introduce formula to their child. This is just an age related milestone. Around 2.5 month of age, children start exploring their body parts and surroundings. So putting hand in mouth is not necessarily a sign of hunger.

• Myth: Breastmilk is not sufficient for child. Top feed is necessary.
• Reality: Many people specially our parents' generation believes that only Breastmilk is not sufficient for child which is absolutely wrong. No other milk can be as nutritious as mother's milk because it is tailored as per your baby's needs so unless and until you have a valid reason to introduce formula, don't do it. 

• Myth: If child is not chubby, there is problem with mother's milk supply.
• Reality: Every child is different. Infact there are many story of twins who are breastfed and one is chubby other is slim. If Child is happy, active and meeting all his milestones on time stop worrying momma and keep feeding.

• Myth: If child sleeps while feeding, he can be hungry.
• Reality: Well this is very funny myth. Children can't starve. If child is sleeping,  it means his hunger is satiated. Infact it is very normal to sleep while nursing and it is very convenient method to put baby to sleep. But remember that until child regains her birth weight, he should be fed every 1.5-2 hour even he is sleeping. 

• Myth: Mother should eat while breastfeeding. Child will feel full for longer. 
• Reality: This is a harmless myth. If you want to eat you can, there is no issue. But make sure you don't throw anything hot on baby. After ~3 months children become very active even while feeding so if you are eating while feeding, they can actually get hurt accidentally. But it has nothing to do with child's satisfaction. 

• Myth: If child is demanding breastfeed frequently, there is milk supply issue.
• Reality: Breastmilk is not just food for babies. Babies demand  bm for many reasons. E.g. clusterfeeding, For comfort,  for sleeping, just for sucking, colic etc. etc. Breasts are their home. It is the safest place for them after mother's womb.

• Myth: Breastmilk tastes exactly like what mother eats. 
• Reality: Again because of this myth many mothers are not able to enjoy their meals. While it is true that mother's food intake impacts quality of milk but breastmilk doesn't exactly taste what mother eats. Yes mother should avoid ice cream and other cold items if it is winter season to avoid cold and cough since cold is contagious disease, baby can also catch it via your touch, sneeze etc but not via breastmilk.

• Myth: Mother should feed from both breasts in every feeding session.
• Reality: Well, this myth is very harmful. It is absolutely normal to feed from one breast only in one session. If you tend to feed from both breasts, your child may miss hind milk(milk that comes later) which has higher fat content and responsible for weight gain in babies. So unless one breast is completely empty don't switch to another. But make sure in next nursing session you start from other breast. 

• Myth: Breastmilk reduces after few weeks so better to start top feed at early stage. 
• Reality: Breastmilk doesn't reduce but your body understands how much to produce. Initially body doesn't know how much milk it has to produce so it produces so much milk that 2 babies can be fed but gradually milk supply gets established (in 6-8 weeks). Infact with introduction of formula milk, supply can actually reduce because breastmilk production is simple demand supply phenomenon. 

• Myth: If child finishes his meal in less time, there is some problem with milk supply. 
• Reality: New born takes a lot of time to finish one nursing session but with time it reduces; and after a point they finish it in 5 min or so but it doesn't mean there is some issue with milk supply or child remains hungry. With time children becomes pro at feeding and they don't want to spend whole time in feeding they are more interested in playing so they finish their meal rapidly. 

• Myth: Other breast should leak while breastfeeding. 
• Reality: For some woman, it is true while some doesn't leak. Both scenarios are completely normal. It has nothing to do with milk supply.

• Myth: If child is not spitting milk, he is not getting enough milk.
• Reality: Unfortunately because of this myth, many new mothers introduce formula. Spitting of milk is because of baby's immature digestive system. It has again nothing to do with milk supply. 

• Myth : Baby should be fed every 2 hours 
• Reality : It is true only until baby regains his birth weight. Once baby has attained his birth weight, feed on demand. As baby grows, feeding frequency may reduce because babies' capacity increases so they can go without feed for longer. In my case, my son's feeding frequency has always been 2-3 hours( on average). Many babies can go without feed for as long as 5 hours after 3-4 months. Don't worry about such numbers, keep feeding on demand once baby has regained his birth weight. 

Mommies, please don't introduce formula milk unless and until there is real need of it. Your milk supply is low if and only if

1) baby's pee count is less than 6 in 24 hours.

2) baby's weight gain is not appropriate.

These myths are my personal point of view that I have learned over time through my experience. If you face any issue in your breastfeeding journey, please discuss it with your respective gynecologist, pediatrician or lactation counsellor.

Feeding bra - I tried nursing bra from few brands and found this one most comfortable. This gives support to sagging breasts as well. 

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